Trump: Being President Is Costing Me a Fortune

He says 'this thing' has cost him up to $5B
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 14, 2019 3:20 AM CDT
Updated Aug 14, 2019 5:44 AM CDT
Trump: Being President Is Costing Me a Fortune
President Trump walks on stage to speak at Shell's Pennsylvania Petrochemicals Complex on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019, in Monaca, Pa.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

President Trump spoke at a massive Shell petrochemical plant under construction in Pennsylvania on Tuesday—but he spent a lot more time talking about personal grievances than energy policy. "This thing is costing me a fortune, being president," Trump said, complaining about the cost of lawyers and rejecting claims he is profiting from the presidency. "It's probably costing me from $3 to $5 billion for the privilege of being—and I couldn't care less—I don’t care," he told the audience of workers at the Monaca plant, per NBC. "You know if you're wealthy, it doesn't matter. I just want to do a great job." Trump also complained that while he is being sued for allegedly violating the Emoluments Clause, which only applies to sitting presidents, former President Obama isn't facing similar lawsuits for a book deal he signed after leaving office.

The speech was billed as an official White House event, though it was "nearly indistinguishable" from a campaign event, reports the New York Times. Trump attacked Democrats including Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden over their positions on climate change. "I don’t think they give a damn about western Pennsylvania. Do you? I don't think so," Trump said adding: "They want to wipe out our oil. They want to wipe out our natural gas industry as well. Allowing other countries to steal our jobs." Trump told the crowd that if he got "fair press," he would be so far ahead in the polls there would be no need for an election. "Can you imagine if I got a fair press? I mean we’re leading without it," he said. "The election would be over. Have they ever called off an election before? Just said, 'Look, let’s go, go on, four more years.'" (More President Trump stories.)

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